Monday letters to the editor

Published
8:00 pm EDT, Sunday, October 8, 2006

Support the troops!

To the editor:

Established in 1925, the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children is committed to serving the families of VFW members. The National Home is a multi-faceted facility created to care for the needs of the families of VFW members in a number of ways. Some of the services include educational support, recreational opportunities, and individual and family counseling. The home is not a single building, but a community of houses, service buildings and recreational land cared for by a diligent staff in Eaton Rapids, Mich. In addition, the community also accommodates children of active duty military personnel.

The VFW National Home for Children is run solely on donations from individuals, organizations and businesses. In a time such as now, it is more important than ever to support our veterans. The phrase, "Support Our Troops" is popular among Americans. Now, we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to do just that!

The Midland and Dow High School Key Clubs are planning to raise money for the VFW National Home for Children. Key Club International is the worlds largest service organization for high school students, and a member of the Kiwanis Family. We devote countless volunteer hours to serving in our community. This year, the Midland High Key Club has the honor of hosting Key Club chapters from around the state at the annual district convention.

To generate excitement for this years Midland-Dow football game on Oct. 20, and to raise money for the VFW Home, our Key Clubs are organizing a fun contest for all Mid-Michigan residents. Two decorated coffee cans will be set up at area businesses for donations. Money placed in one can will support Midland High School, and in the other can, Dow High School. Although all money collected will go to the VFW Home, the school that collects more money will win the contest. The losing schools principal will kiss a pig during the Midland-Dow game. If you have any questions or would like to have collection cans at your business, e-mail mercureba@mps.k12.mi.us or WiederoderSE@mps.k12.mi.us.

Please help us in our effort to support this unique and wonderful home. Good luck Chemics and Chargers!

Ben Mercure

Sara Wiederoder

Midland and Dow High School Key Club Bulletin Editors

Michigan needs a good CEO

To the editor:

Gov. Granholm continues to use her China attack ads against Dick DeVos as her campaign strategy. Several newspapers in Michigan have pointed out that Gov. Granholm is wrong, yet she continues to harp on that issue.

Dick DeVos opened a manufacturing plant in China just like Dow Chemical, General Motors and hundreds of other U.S. manufacturers have done. If you want to sell products in China, you are required by Chinese law to build a facility there. We dont hear the governor disapproving of those ventures.

We must all learn that we have to compete in a global marketplace. Dick DeVos learned that lesson before the rest of us.

The truth is, Dick DeVos has not outsourced Michigan jobs to China. He realized he needed to move to a global marketplace in order to keep jobs in Michigan. The majority of Alticors sales occur abroad, but  with the exception of the China plant  most of those products are made right in Ada, Michigan. That business supports some 4,000 jobs in Michigan. Not one Michigan job was exported to China.

Dick DeVos is a good businessman. Michigan needs Dick DeVos as our next Chief Executive Officer. I urge you to vote for Dick DeVos for our next governor.

Diane Bristol

Midland

Why did DeVos turn down interview?

To the editor:

While Dick DeVos spends millions on campaign ads, one might ask why did he turn down an interview with the Detroit Free Press? On the plus side this would give him a lot of free exposure. The down side DeVos would be asked a lot of embarrassing questions about his dealings in Amway. He might also be asked his plan about creating jobs, if he has one at all. Former distributor Eric Scheibler has a book out called "Merchants of Deception" and his dealings with Dick DeVos. Scheibler says that the DeVos system is designed to give the people at the top most of the money. The average distributor makes $115 a month, the DeVos made billions.

You can do your own research on Amway and the DeVos family. There were investigations by Dateline, 60 minutes, Phil Donahue and the Federal Trade Commission. The are testimonials from former victims of the multi level marketing scheme, copies of lawsuits, accusations of intimidation, death threats, income tax fraud and much more.

Dick DeVos is not a jobs creator, he is a money separator. Your money to his pocket.

I believe the reason DeVos was chosen to be the candidate for governor is a payback for all the money he has donated to the Republican Party, because they had to know the truth about DeVos would have to come out. Before you vote, find out who the real Dick DeVos is!

Richard Crampton

Midland

Donoghue impartial

To the editor:

I urge voters of Midland County to vote for Judge Robert Donaghue for district judge. Firstly, Bob has shown to be fair and impartial during his time on the bench. Secondly, he has had years of experience as a lawyer in the types of cases that are brought before the district court.

Join me in voting for the experienced Judge Donaghue on Nov. 7.

Richard Skochdopole

Midland

New leadership

To the editor:

In his own words, Dave Camp is a "member of the House Republican leadership team [who] serves as deputy majority whip"? The majority whip is John Boehner. Mr. Camp claims to have "managed the successful campaign of Dennis Hastert to become Speaker of the House"?

In late 2005, Hastert and Boehner were informed that Rep. Mark Foley was pursuing sexual contacts with an under-aged Congressional Page. Nonetheless, Dave Camps "leadership PAC"? gave $1,000 to Foleys campaign as recently as May 12, 2006.

I want new, ethical leadership in Congress and I am voting for Mike Huckleberry.

Jay Johnson

Empire

See where it leads

To the editor:

A letter by John M. Pafford published Sept. 24 argued that "students should be taught alternatives to evolution." If the topic is scientific alternatives, then there are none. Evolution is the change over time of biological species, and their common ancestry. This is no more subject to "alternatives" than gravity. Pafford made a number of biblical assertions which are pointless other than to show us biblical arguments do not belong in public science classrooms.

Pafford could not be more wrong when he claims "… intelligent design advocates approach the matter not from the vantage point of faith, but rather examine facts…" Every major Intelligent Design Creationism (IDC) author has admitted they are primarily motivated by religion.

William Dembski, in his 1999 Touchstone article "Signs of Intelligence,? confirmed IDs religious foundation assuring readers, "Indeed, intelligent design is just the Logos theology of Johns Gospel restated in the idiom of information theory." Later (March 7, 2004) he stated that, "Ultimately I want to see God get the credit for what hes done "and hes not getting it."?

The godfather of IDC, lawyer Phillip Johnson following his late life conversion experience decided to reject science. Michael Behe has admitted that his creationism, and promotion of IDC follows his Catholic beliefs. While under oath in the Dover, Pa., federal court creationism trial, Behe admitted that unlike evolution, there is no scientific research supporting ID.

Any historian, including Pafford, should know the consequence of allowing religion to make our public decisions. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson certainly knew why we must maintain "… a wall of separation between Church and State." Look at todays Mideast slaughter to see where Paffords creationism leads.